"Activated carbon" is a catch-all name for products that may be derived from coal, wood, or coconut shell, and which have undergone treatment ("activation") to increase their porosity; the porosity and average pore size of the material is largely responsible for the effectiveness that it will have with regards to removing dissolved organic material from water and vapor. Contrary to claims made by manufacturers/suppliers of activated carbon, trace and minor elements are both actively- and passively-removed by any quality activated carbon; in the case of the former, this is due to gaps in the pores that are partially blocked by large molecules, into which trace and minor elements can pass and become trapped, and in the case of the latter, this is a result of these elements being trapped in binding sites on the large organic molecules, themselves, which are then removed by the carbon. Therefore, supplementation of trace and minor elements should take place after carbon use. Some hobbyists prefer to utilize activated carbon in their aquaria on a full-time basis, while others choose to employ it only when attempting to remove some sort of undesirable substance, such as an abundance or organic material or a medication. There are arguments to support both methods of use, therefore it is up to each individual hobbyist to determine what will work best for their aquaria. In general, freshwater aquaria, which do not have the benefit of protein skimming, can benefit from full-time use of activated carbon, whereas marine aquaria employing protein skimming may benefit more from only occassional carbon use.

Instructions and Guidelines:

Prior to first use, rinse under a stream of fresh water. Each 500g of Carbont-P is suited to efficiently filtering 450 US-gallons (1,703 L) of water. The method in which Carbont-P is employed will dictate reaction time with the water and consequently the rate at which organic material will be extracted; therefore, the greater the reaction time between carbon pellets and water, the faster this process will occur. In all cases, the use of a mechanical pre-filter to remove particulate organic material from water prior to its interaction with this media will prolong effectiveness. Follow guidelines for media use below; Carbont-P may be removed prior to reaching the maximum recommended filtering time if more than one use is desired. Hobbyist may choose to employ Carbont-P for 1 - 2 hours each day throughout the course of a 1-month period to help improve water quality. If used in this fashion, Carbont-P should be discarded and replaced at the conclusion of each month. In high-nutrient aquaria, replace after 24-hours of total use; placement in lower-nutrient aquaria may be extended up to 48-hours of total use. Canister filtration: Load carbon into filter cartridge as directed by filter manufacturer. Slowing the flow of water through the filter may be required to obtain maximum effectiveness of carbon. Passive filtration: Place Carbont-P loosely in an 800æm mesh filter bag and locate in an area of low- to medium-flow. Turning bag over once during usage will serve to shift the carbon particles and increases effectivness of this method.